Word Study for H8506 (תֹּכֶן)

tôken /to'-ken/ Ask about this word

Meaninga fixed quantity

KJV usagemeasure, tale.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tôken — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tôken, represented by H8506, refers to a fixed quantity; measure, tale. Derived from the root for establishing a fixed amount, this specific term is rare, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. It signifies a predetermined or required amount, whether in the context of labor or commerce.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H8506 highlight different applications of a "fixed quantity." In Exodus, it represents a harsh demand for labor, where the Israelites are commanded to deliver "the tale of bricks" without being given the necessary materials Exodus 5:18. In Ezekiel, the word is used to establish a standard for just commerce, decreeing that the ephah and the bath "shall be of one measure" to ensure fairness and consistency Ezekiel 45:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide further context for the idea of measurement and required service:

H4971 mathkôneth: This word for proportion... measure, state, tale is used synonymously with H8506 to describe a fixed quantity. It is used in Ezekiel to define the standard for the homer Ezekiel 45:11 and also appears in Exodus in reference to the "tale of the bricks" Exodus 5:8.
H374 ʼêyphâh: An ephah or measure for grain, this term denotes a specific unit of measurement for dry goods. Its value is standardized by the "measure" H8506 set in Ezekiel's vision for a just society Ezekiel 45:11.
H5647 ʻâbad: Meaning to work... serve, this verb is directly linked to the "tale" H8506 of bricks in Exodus. The command is to work and produce a required amount, highlighting the theme of service and labor Exodus 5:18.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H8506 is seen in its contrasting applications of a fixed standard.

Standard for Justice: In Ezekiel's vision, a single "measure" is established by divine command to ensure fairness in trade. It is part of a system of "just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath" Ezekiel 45:10, reflecting God's desire for righteousness and order in society.
Tool of Oppression: In Exodus, the "tale" of bricks represents an unjust and oppressive standard. It is a fixed quantity demanded by a tyrannical power to afflict the Israelites, demonstrating how a required measure can be used for cruel purposes Exodus 5:18.
Accountability: Whether for justice or oppression, the concept of H8506 establishes a clear standard of accountability. It sets a non-negotiable quantity that must be delivered, whether it is a fair measure of grain or a quota of bricks.

Summary

In summary, H8506 is a specific term that, while rare, powerfully illustrates the concept of a "fixed quantity." It is used to describe both a divine standard for just commerce and a human demand for oppressive labor. Through its two occurrences, the word demonstrates that the application and purpose behind a set measure determine whether it serves the cause of righteousness or the cause of tyranny.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

תֹּכֶן
תֹכֶן

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Exodus and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

Exodus

Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.